Trustees weigh in on CTL fire‑alarm inspection contract and district certification after pull‑station reports

Laredo ISD plant facilities staff presented a Sourcewell cooperative contract (CTL) for annual fire‑alarm testing, inspection and monitoring, and trustees questioned whether the district could perform the work in‑house.

Mister Velasquez said the district does have one certified employee who can manipulate sensors and perform repairs, which can speed small fixes. However, he recommended retaining a third‑party vendor for annual inspections and monitoring because using the district as both operator and inspector raises liability and compliance concerns. “I feel like it’s a little complicated because…we’re the owner of these alarms and we’re the inspector of these alarms,” Velasquez said. “Having a company that specializes on that…would be my best recommendation.”

Trustees pointed to a specific safety concern: a principal at Alma Pierce reported a pull station hanging by a wire. Trustee Perez said the issue had been reported as a work order and asked staff to confirm response time; Velasquez and other operations staff said they would check the work order and remedy the issue that afternoon. Velasquez noted that all penetrations and repairs must pass fire‑rating and inspection before building release.

On frequency and reporting, Velasquez said fire‑alarm inspection is an annual cycle similar to other life‑safety maintenance (extinguishers, kitchen suppression) and involves state or code compliance checks and occasional city fire department inspections. Trustees discussed cross‑training district safety personnel to reduce third‑party costs, but staff emphasized that certification is time‑intensive and that a hybrid model—use district staff for small repairs and a third party for independent annual inspections—may balance cost and compliance.

Clarifying details from the meeting: the CTL coop contract 121024 was presented at an estimated $250,000; staff said one certified district employee exists who can perform some manipulations and repairs but not a full independent inspection program; any repairs or penetrations must be fire‑rated and inspected before occupancy; principals are encouraged to file work orders for life‑safety concerns.

Next steps: staff said they will inspect the reported pull station at Alma Pierce and follow up on the work order status, review options for cross‑training and certification, and return procurement recommendations to the board for contract approval.